A report from the town of Ennis where over a thousand asylum seekers have passed through in the last ten years.
Ennis County Clare, steeped in traditional culture is experiencing a transition with an influx of asylum seekers to the town. The Refugee Council is working with the relevant government departments to set up structures to cater for the needs of asylum seekers.
From accommodation and finance to teaching the language, services are in place to provide a degree of independence for these immigrants. However not everyone is welcoming to these new immigrants. The Immigration Control Platform set up by Áine Ní Chonaill warns against immigration describing it as a charter for "invasion". While Áine fights her campaign, Ennis is learning to adapt to its new inhabitants and its new inhabitants are learning to adjust to their new lives.
Dympna Moroney speaks to Eni Olaleye, a Nigerian, Anto Christelle, a Congo national, and Annette Geuyen from the Netherlands on their experiences as immigrants in Ireland. Beyond non-nationals, Dympna Moroney also meets three traveller women who feel they are marginalised by the community.
Eamon Naughton of Clare County Development Board discusses plans for investment in Ennis over the next ten years. Bishop of Killaloe Dr William Walsh takes an egalitarian view of immigration and believes that everyone should be treated as human beings.
Every human being is sacred and entitled to respect and dignity
This is the third report of five broadcast on the evening news looking at immigration in Ireland. The week long series of reports were broadcast from 30 April 2001 to the 4 May 2001.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 May 2001. The reporter is Dympna Moroney.
